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The NBA season starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.